Sunsets and Silhouettes – a blueprint, tutorial and favorites poll

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One of my all time favorite things to photograph are sunsets and silhouettes.  There is something almost magical about them.

Last year I wrote a 2 part tutorial on photographing and editing silhouettes. Part 1 Here * Part 2 Here.

I changed camera my settings quite a bit on the ones I took on vacation in Northern Michigan last week.   And based on the sky and environment, the colors and look is quite different as well (though I love both shoots equally as much).

I decided to stop down rather than shoot wider open.  These were all shot with my Canon 17-40L (which I am considering selling as I just purchased the 16-35L II.  So on a side note, contact me if you are interested…)

My camera settings varied slightly from shot to shot – but they were approximately:

ISO 100-320, Aperture f16-f20, Speed 1/250-1/640

As for editing, it could not have been any simpler.  The “Blueprint” for these was an s-curve that looked like this and then the Finger-paint Medium action from the MCP Quickie Collection.  I decided against sharpening these.  So these were so fast to edit.

image-thumb11 Sunsets and Silhouettes – a blueprint, tutorial and favorites poll Blueprints Photography Tips Photoshop Actions Photoshop Tips

Since I took the time to show you what I did and to tell you my settings, I am hoping you will vote for your 3 favorites from these 10.  I need you to help me pick what I should print for my home.

[poll id=”20″]

#1

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#5

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#6

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#11

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#12

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#13

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#14

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#15

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No Comments

  1. Tiffany on June 30, 2009 at 9:27 am

    If I could have only voted for one, it would have been number 3. I loved several in the group but that one really stands out for me. Gorgeous!

  2. Sarah Wise on June 30, 2009 at 10:14 am

    Oh my goodness those are all breathtaking! How in the world are you gonna decide — just do all of them 🙂

  3. Bailey on June 30, 2009 at 11:14 am

    beautiful Jodi! I especially like the ones of them holding hands!

  4. Kansas A on June 30, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    Stunning Jodi! I’m wondering when you print them out do you print the frame with it? Or leave the frame off the print and buy a frame?

  5. Jodi on June 30, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    Kansas – yep – I just use that frame for web. I print without anything and frame or put on canvas.

  6. Johanna on June 30, 2009 at 2:26 pm

    These are gorgeous and you’re going to need help and so I’ll be as specific as I can. I looked up and down several times and kept coming back to 14. Here’s what I can say about why I think I’m drawn to that one. First, the posture of the girls is still young. The fact that they’re facing each other seems more intimate, like you’re looking in on a private moment rather than asking them to pose. You can still tell them apart from their silhouette but there’s symmetry. The sky and reflection are beautiful. There’s more, but I could not describe it. It’s just a feeling that I don’t get with the others. Hope that helps! You really can’t make a mistake here – they’re all fab.

  7. Krista on June 30, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    #14 or #6

  8. Linda Ferrell on June 30, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    I’ve looked back & forth many times & keep coming back to #6. I love the way the girls are looking OUT into the water. I was attracted to having more foreground included in #6 as opposed to #14. The contrast (lighting) between the foreground & sky are especially gorgeous! You cant make a mistake in choosing. They are all beautiful.

  9. Holly Steen on June 30, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    This is officially going to be in my bookmarks for a photography resource!YAY

  10. Brittney on June 30, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    these are beautiful!!!

  11. Wendy on June 30, 2009 at 6:15 pm

    These are Beautiful!! I am in LOVE!

  12. Silvina on June 30, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    They’re all beautiful…i picked 3 and voted, #14 is definitely my very favorite out of the three i picked.

  13. Jan on July 1, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    They are all so beautiful! It was hard to vote. Thanks for sharing all of them.

  14. Jolie on July 1, 2009 at 10:34 pm

    WOW – those are spectacular!

  15. Elo on July 4, 2009 at 11:18 am

    Love them all!!

  16. Michelle on July 9, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    I LOVE #14!!

  17. Shayla on November 24, 2010 at 5:41 pm

    1,2, and 14 are my favorites! How much were you wanting for you L lens?

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